Posted 09 February 2007 07:48 PM

I'm not sure if this is approperate forum protocol, but we need help. If the moderator deletes this posting I will understand.

Recently our elementary school suffered total damages when our sprinkler system exploded in -20 degree weather. Everything in the school was devestated, not a book, computer, rug, wall, is worth keeping. Fortunately, the inspector allow us to open up half of the school, which suffered less damage then the rest.

Trinity Catholic Academy has a strong Performing Arts department which is a model for training elementary school students, and students from Pre-K to 8th. grade get up early to practice for our bi-annunal community musicals. Inspite of the difficult circumstances, 3 days later the childern were singing away practicing for their upcoming performance. It seems all that water didn't wash out the school spirit, and we know the show must go on.

Although the insurance will pay for totally rebuilding the inside of our school, my concern is that we have no lighting equipment for their musical which is coming up May 16th. I don't know who, or where to turn for immediate help. Grants seem to take forever, and lighting manufactures are next to impossible to contact.

Is there anyone who might have lighting fixtures or equipment that they are willing to donate to help us rebuild our department. I'm sorry for sounding so frank, but I'm in a desperate situation. Thank you for taking time to read this posting.

Too bad you're not close to Sacramento. I'd give you sound and lighting services for the event if you have a charity ID.

(Keep it straight for taxes)

Hay Chris,

That's an awesome offer man. Yah things are a bit grim right now, but I have put out "offers" to our local businesses to see if they will chip in a help out.

If I do come up with some financing, I would be interested in buying some equipment. Would you have anything STUDIO 42 would be selling, or know of any good contacts in the field?

Thanks again for YOUR generous offer, it really is a appreciated.

Sincerely,
Jim Missall

Selling? Oh no, we're not selling anything. If you were close by, I could roll up in the truck and off-load my high end concert system and provide sound, and since we're there and the lights were already in the truck, we'd do lighting too. Then, load it all up after the event and go back home.

I am a services company, not a resale/VAR/VAD or channel.

Not to be picky, but it is "Studio42".

Also, I have plenty of good people I deal with all the time. You might check Ebay for discounted merchandise that still has tons of life left in it. But I typically buy new.

My suggestions would be to see what local sound, production, theater and rental companies could donate the rentals for your events. For them, it's a tax write-off, or if the amounts are small, they'll just simply eat it. Or, your idea of businesses chipping in to off-set the rental or purchases in exchange for sponsorships/advertising might help. I don't know, but maybe other fund-raisers can be used too, like bake sales and things of that nature, things with little costs and good returns.

I've certainly done my share of charity work, wouldn't mind doing more. Check out my web site and the October 1 and 8 events on 2005, these were free ones.

Contact me off-line. Use my first name, the @ sign and my domain, and it should go right through.(sorry, can't let the spammers have it easy) I can forward some contacts that are at least on your side of the country, since I'm clear out here in the Sacramento, California area.

Definatley shop around. If you're looking for Par38's, there's an online retailer selling them 2 for $30, so that's where and why I stocked up and went from 8 to 32 Par38's, although now I am leaning towards maybe selling those to go towards DMX LED Par64's instead. My Par38's are mainly in good shape, although I'd probably still keep at least 8 of them(the most beat up ones). I'd have to get at least 8 of those LED Par64's in time.

Best of luck. You'll need it. Just letting you know I'm sending good thoughts your way. It can't hurt.